133: From Grief to Action: Surviving Gun Violence with Pastor Brenda K. Mitchell

Rewrite the Mother Code with Dr. Gertrude Lyons

In this episode, I’m honored to speak with Pastor Brenda K. Mitchel. She is a Fellow with Everytown Survivor Network, Co-Chapter Lead with Moms Demand Action, Founder of Purpose Over Pain, and an ordained minister.

Brenda shares her story of losing her son Kevin to gun violence and how that changed her life and her family forever. Brenda’s work and focus shifted to helping her community through advocating for trauma-informed care and making resources available to move families and communities towards wholeness, utilizing the tools of mindfulness and meditation in the healing process. We speak about the shapes the mother code can take after such a life-changing event and how our resilience comes into play.

Being exposed to gun violence every day, as well as the traumas of American life and history, has led to a loss of innocence, to say the least, and it’s easy to fall into a pattern of feeling unconnected to our communities, especially those experiencing loss. Brenda reminds us that as mothers, as people with compassionate hearts, we’re always on the front line. Self-care is paramount in her work and for moms in a similar position. Choosing joy each day is not simple, but it is a critical step in choosing life. Brenda names action steps listeners can take today to help change the reality of gun violence in the U.S. To think “this will never happen to me” is naive and the mindset we need to override with action. I hope you let Brenda’s story, her incredible advocacy work, and her message into your heart.

You’ll also hear about:

• (00:33) Welcome Brenda Mitchell
• (03:29) When a mother loses a child, we all lose a child
• (11:42) Deeply feeling emotions, pain, and trauma as a mother
• (15:45) You can’t help others if you’re broken
• (24:33) Brenda’s relationship with her mom
• (33:35) Action steps to take today
• (39:33) What it means to choose life
• (46:37) May your heart forever guide

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Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Live Through This by Kristen McGuinness

Connect with Pastor Brenda K. Mitchell

For grief support, call Brenda at 708-275-6418

Learn more on Everytown Survivor Network

Text JOIN to 64433 for next steps with the Everytown Survivor Network

Learn more on Moms Demand Action

Learn more on Purpose Over Pain

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